The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-06
EX-GOV. J.MlDISON WELLS
GIVES Up SOME OF THE SECRETS
OF 1875,
When He Helped to Count Louisi'
ana for Hayes and Not
for Tilden.

T;me,. Democrat says that Ex-Gov. ].
Madison w ells, notorious as president
of the Louisiana Returning Board, ar.
rived few days ago, in company with
his daughter, from Alexandria, La,
and has taken rooms at the Perry
House, on st. Charles street. He Is
here for the purpose OF institutinR
suit in the Civil District Court against
Gen. A. g. Badger on the alleged con-
tract growing out OF services said to
have been rendered by Gov. Wells ss
nresident Of the Louisiana Returning
Board in 1875. He claims that the
general, through the intercession and
with TIE advice Of W. P. kellogg,
signed a contract in favor OF him
(Wells), giving him or e-hali OF the
proceeds Of the office Of Tax Collector
Of the Fourth Municipal District, o.
which Badger was the incumbent
during the years OF 1875 and 1875, and
that he has failed 10 carry eut the pro
visions OF taid contract. Wells ssti
mates the value OF the flee, Including
perouisites, etc, at the SUM OF $50, 0OC
Der year, OF which he expects, through
legal proceedings, TO secure one-haif
with interest since 1875.
Gov. Wells is now In his S0th year,
but with the exception OF his eyesight,
which ia almost gone, he is looking re-
markably we'll.
To reporter Of the TImes Democrat
Yesterday, he made the following
statement with regard to
MS CLAIM,
and the circumstances attending Il;
Said Gov. Wells: In 1875, when
Kellogg discovered that the election
was very close as between nlden and
Hays In the Presidential contest, and
believing that the fight might ultl,
mately be consigned 10 the courts and
II we Jailed to carry the electoral vote
OF Louisiana for Hayes, 1ilden wc1ld
be elected, received several letters "a
hurry to New Orleans from AlsxAn.
dris, where l was then residing. The
letters were from kellogg, urging ths
importance Of my early viEf TO the
city. was in receipt also OF letters
from other Republican friends, who
informed me that kellogg WAS bound
upon my removal from the
Presidency OF THE RETURNING B9AKD,
his purpose being to fill my place with
man whom he could use. They
begged me not to resign, but to come
TO the city as early as il was possible
for me to do and to become advised OF
the wishes OF Kellogg. When /
reached New Orleans / Immediately
called at Kellogg's mansion on st.
Charles street, where We had quite q
lengthy and most interesting inter-
view. About the frst question he put
to me was as to whether or not l had
received his letters, / replied that l
had. He then asked: chow do You
think the State has gomez" / replied
that he ought to be better informed
on that subject than l. After some
unimportant talk Kellogg continued:
eve shall have q very hard struggle
10 succeed, and as you are 30 thorough
ly despised by the Confederates, won't
you runla great risk In counting the
voter To which l replied: "Not
more 70, Gov. Kellogg, than anyone
else. have determined TO preside
over the Returning Board, and remain
until the vote 10 counted. Let come
what will, you can rely upon what l
state to you. Nothing will deter me
from my purpose Of presiding over
the count OF the votes Of the State Of
Louisiana. II l do wrong Intention
ally / hope God will punish me for It,
II l do right l deserve no praise mol
iavors. 1t is my duty"
The conversation then ceased a.
with regard to the count, and
GOV. KELLOGG
said, ~ admire your grit, old fellow
You certainly deserve political favor
and l intend to appoint you, II yoV
will accept it, tax collector Of tn
Fourth District Of this city," To thi
replied: 81 thank you; 1t Ia the firf
time in the whole course of my lif
that have had the h lnor for the o.
fee to seek nae. ! have always hereto
fore sought the Office"
"ThiDgs remained In stAtu gu
for some time. In the meantime, how
ever, Hayes.w&s counted in. kellogg
was elected to the United States Sc at
and everything looked lovely. BIT
there was a different condition
things when the time arrived for tn
distribution Of State appointment
Kellogg sent for me, and after col
siderable humming and having sal
he did not know what to do wit
Badger, WHO was then the incumbel
of the Fourth District Tax Colecto
ship, and whom was to succeed III
der promise Of Kellogg, as made b
fors the counting in OF Hayes for II
Presidency. In reply TO the above
eaid that had accepted the proffsr
much TO see il he were sincere as
get the fruits OF the office. l furth,
said TO him: III you prefer to put
carpet Dagger in office over your prom
Use to me say to you, although yO
be the Governor OF this State, tn
you shall not do IL, shall most &C
tainly ...
HOLD YOU TO YOUR PRohIsE.'
"At the time referred to above
held the position Of Surveyor OF Il
Pert, aud after some considerable
made proposition to the effect that
would surrender to Badger the q
pointment Of tax collector Of Il
Fourth District, provided Gov. k
lORR W0ulu utAW up III lDbtrument
agreement between Badger and
pledging that was 10 receive or hi
OF the profits OF that Office. The
profits were to cover the purchases
warrants, the collection of taxes, al
and alllmoneys realized incidentally
the Office, and all perquisites accruil
therefrom, either directly or indireC
". Kellogg advised this, and &c
Badger accepted the proposition al
signed the agreement to that effect.
"When the Morrison commit
reached here and began the invests
ton OF what they termed frauds
the returning officers friend Of mi
informed me that kellogg was abe
to make me the victim Of put
lob. j asked as TO what could be X
ioeg's object in the matter, and "